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Writer David Mura grew up in a Chicago suburb in the middle of the last century, learning, as he says, “how to be white.”  

It wasn’t until he was in his twenties that he began to explore his identity as a third-generation Japanese American. Over the years and 

, Mura has reflected on race, cultural identity, popular culture and how his family’s experience and the experiences of other non-white Americans were left out of the broad American story. 

Mura’s daughter, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, Minneapolis-DFL, had a very different experience growing up in multiracial Minneapolis in the 1990s with her activist writer father. And, she’s found her own way to make sure everyone’s history is included. As a newly elected state legislator, she sponsored the legislation this spring that 

will require Minnesota high schools to offer classes in ethnic studies.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with David Mura and Samantha Sencer-Mura about race, culture and storytelling.

 featuring prominent Minnesotans in a close relationship. Maybe they're siblings, a married couple or best friends. You may know of them separately but they reveal a whole new side of themselves when Angela Davis sits them down together. Listen to past interviews and suggest your own future Power Pair duo 

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MPR News host Angela Davis talks with another dynamic duo in the Power Pair series. Writer David Mura and his daughter Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura talk about why Minnesota is stronger when everyone’s stories are remembered and shared.

Power Pair: A writer father and politician daughter want everyone's stories told

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